Scholar Spotlight: Karla Hill and Shaundra Lowery

Taking a New Route

Although Shaundra Lowery and Karla Hill had been driving along some of the same Cincinnati Public School bus routes for years, it wasn’t until Shaundra’s car broke down that their paths began heading in the same direction.

“I started driving to work with Karla, and we just clicked,” said Shaundra.

Both women were juggling jobs, raising teenage daughters, and trying to get ahead in life. For 18 and 11 years respectively, Shaundra and Karla crisscrossed the city making sure students could pursue education while putting their own educational dreams on hold. Ironically, Shaundra’s route included dropping students off at the former Chatfield College in Over the Rhine.

“I always encouraged them when I dropped them off!” Shaundra said. “I had been thinking about changing jobs for a while but felt stuck because I’d been driving a bus for so long and didn’t have other skills. With our hours it was difficult to find other things. I had to keep working but also knew I needed to find something different.”

Karla also had the urge to hop off the bus and into a new career and had recently completed her GED with support from Community Matters. While filling out paperwork to further her career, she was introduced to David Hesson, Director of Programs at The Chatfield Edge.

Breaking Down Barriers

“I tried to do this before but got stopped trying to figure out student loans and fees,” Karla recalled. “From day one of meeting with David, he didn’t just see me as another student needing help. He saw my potential. He listened and encouraged me. And most importantly, he connected me with the support I needed, including scholarships funded by people who believe in second chances, growth, and education.”

Together, Karla and Shaundra embarked on a new path, enrolling in the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant program at Great Oaks Adult Education. Both were interested in the medical field and believed the program offered a variety of career options and the opportunity to advance financially. Despite their enthusiasm, this new route came with some roadblocks that they faced together along with encouragement and financial support from The Chatfield Edge.

“There were a lot of fees and supplies we needed,” Karla commented. “We had to purchase blood pressure cuffs, laptops, pulse ox equipment, and stethoscopes.”

“At first I was overwhelmed because I felt like I was old,” Shaundra recalled. “But then I just wanted to say ‘Hey kids in our class – we’re going to keep up and do it. We’ll show you something about old people!”

Driving Into the Future

With her bus driving days in the rear-view mirror, Karla is now working with The Christ Hospital Network and wants to encourage others to drive into their own desired futures.

“Because of The Chatfield Edge, I didn’t give up. I kept going. They gave me more than financial help, including confidence, direction, and a sense of community. They reminded me that I wasn’t alone, and that my dreams were worth fighting for. Now, I’m becoming the person I always hoped I could be. I’ll always be grateful that The Chatfield Edge was there when I needed it most.

If you need direction, guidance, or financial support on your educational journey, reach out to The Chatfield Edge today on our website (chatfieldedge.org) or by calling us at 513-875-3344. We look forward to bringing you into our Chatfield community!